Everyone who has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
20 The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a coin a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Then, about the third hour he went out and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. He said to them, Go ye also into my vineyard and whatever is right I will give you.
He went out again about the sixth and the ninth hour and did the same. About the eleventh hour he went out, found others standing idle, and said, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They answered, Because no man has hired us. He then replied, Go ye also into the vineyard and whatever is right you shall receive.
When evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning from the last unto the first. When those who were hired about the eleventh hour came, every man received a coin. But when the first came, supposing they should receive more, they each also received a coin. When they received it, they murmured against the good man of the house and said, These last have worked only an hour and you have made them equal to those of us who have borne the burden and heat of the day.
He answered one of them and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong. Did thou not agree with me for a coin? Take what is thine and go thy way. I will give to the last the same as I give to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own coins? Must you see evil in my goodness? So, the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few are chosen.
Then Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said, We are now going to Jerusalem where the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death. They will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, scourge, and crucify Him. And on the third day He will rise again.
The mother of the sons of Zebedee and her sons, James and John, approached Jesus. She praised Him, desiring something of Him. He said to her, What wilt thou? She replied, Grant that my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
They said to Him, We are able. And Jesus said, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand or on my left is not mine to give. It shall be given to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.
When the remaining ten heard this they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them to Him and said, Ye know that the princes of worldliness and ambition influence them. But it shall not be so among you. Whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. Whoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Likewise, the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
As they were leaving Jericho a great multitude followed. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, two blind men, who were sitting by the wayside, cried out, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. The multitude told them to keep quiet. But they cried more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
Jesus stood still and said to them, What shall I do for you? They answered, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and they followed Him.
21 As they drew close to Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage by the mount of Olives. Jesus sent two disciples ahead and said, Go into the village and ye shall find tied there an ass with her colt. Untie them and bring them to me. If a man says anything to you, say, The Lord has need of them and, straightway, he will send them. All this was done so this saying of the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon a colt, the foal of an ass.
The disciples did as Jesus directed. They brought the ass and the colt and set Jesus thereupon. A multitude spread out their garments and others cut down tree branches and lined the way. They cried out, Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. When Jesus came into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred. They asked, Who is this? The multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.
Jesus went into the temple and cast out all who bought and sold. He overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, it is written: My house shall be called a house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them. When the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things Jesus did and heard the children crying out in the temple, Hosanna to the son of David; they were greatly displeased. They said to Him, Hear thou what they are saying? Jesus answered, Yea. Have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes comes perfect praise? Then He left them and went into Bethany where He lodged that night.
In the morning Jesus, being very hungry, started out to return to the city. On His way He saw a fig tree. As He came to it He found nothing on it but leaves. He said, Let no fruit ever grow on thee. The fig tree withered away.
When the disciples saw this, they marvelled and said, How quickly the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this that was done to the fig tree, but also, if ye shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed and cast into the sea; it shall be done. Those things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Then He went into the temple. The chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching and asked, By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?
Jesus replied, I, in turn, will ask you one thing, which, if ye can tell me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven or from man?
They reasoned among themselves and said, If we say, From heaven; He will ask us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we say, From man; we fear the people for they hold John as a prophet.
Finally they said to Jesus, We cannot tell. Jesus responded, Neither, then, do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Hear this. A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, today go to work in my vineyard. The son answered, I will not. But, afterward he repented and went to work. Then the man went to the second son and said the same thing. The second son said, I will go, sir; but he did not go. Which of these two did the will of his father? They answered, The first son.
Jesus said, Verily I say, The publicans and the harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. John came to you in the way of righteousness and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the harlots believed him. And yet, even after you had seen, you did not repent that you believed him.
Hear another parable: There was a householder who planted a vineyard. He hedged it all around, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to husbandsmen and went abroad. When the time of the harvest drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandsmen to receive the fruits of it. The husbandsmen took his servants, beat one, stoned one, and killed another. Next, he sent more servants than the first time. They did to them the same thing.
Finally, he sent his son, saying, They will respect my son. But when the husbandsmen saw the son, they said, This is the heir. Let us kill him and seize his inheritance. So they caught him, cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When, therefore, the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to these husbandsmen?
They said to Jesus, He will destroy these miserable and wicked men and he will rent out his vineyard to others who will render him the fruits in their seasons.
Jesus said, Did ye never read in the scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected is the same that has become the cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes?
I tell you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation that brings forth its fruits. Whoever falls on this stone shall be broken. On whomever this stone falls, he will be ground into powder.
When the chief priests and Pharisees heard these parables, they saw that Jesus spoke about them. But when they thought of laying hands on Him, they feared the multitude because they took Jesus for a prophet.
22 Jesus related more parables. He said, The kingdom of heaven is like a king who arranged a marriage feast for his son. He sent his servants forth to call those who were invited to the wedding but they did not come. He sent other servants to say, Dinner is prepared. The king's oxen and fatlings are killed. Everything is ready. Come to the marriage. Those who were invited made light of it and went their ways. One went out to his farm. Another attended to his merchandise. The others took the king's servants, treated them spitefully, and then slew them.
When the king heard this he was outraged. He sent out his armies to destroy the murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his servants, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, invite them to the marriage feast. These servants went out and gathered together all those they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Then, the king came in to greet the guests. He spotted a man who did not wear the wedding garment that was provided. The king said to him, Friend, why did you come in here without the wedding garment? The man made no answer. So the king told his servants, Bind him hand and foot. Then take him away and cast him into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for many are invited, but few are chosen.
Then the Pharisees met to discuss how they might trap Jesus in His words. They sent some of their people along with the Herodians to question Jesus. They said, Master, we know that thou art true and teach the way of God in truth. Tell us, therefore, what thou think. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?
Jesus, perceiving their wicked motive, said, Why test me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. They brought a coin to Him. Jesus asked, Whose image and superscription is this? They said, Caesar's. Jesus said, Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. When they heard these words, they marvelled, and left Him to go their way.
The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked, Master, Moses said if a man dies and has no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother. Likewise, the second also, and the third, up to the seventh brother. Then, finally the woman died also. Now, according to the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven since they all had her?
Jesus said, Ye err. You do not know the scriptures nor the power of God. In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Concerning the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
When the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus put the Sadducees to silence, they gathered together. One of them, a lawyer, tested Jesus with this question, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments rests all the law and the prophets.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, What do you think of Christ? Whose son is He? They said, The son of David. Jesus then asked, How, then, does David, in spirit, call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David calls him Lord, how is he his son? No man was able to answer a word, nor did anyone dare ask Jesus any more questions from that day forth.
23 Jesus then addressed the crowd and His followers. He said, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' place. Whatever they bid you to observe and do, ye shall observe and do. But do not follow after their works because what they say, they do not do themselves. They bind heavy burdens, grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders. But they, themselves, will not even lay so much as a finger on one of them. All their works they do for show to other men. They love the uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues. They like greetings in the markets and to be called out to, Rabbi, Rabbi.
But be ye not called Rabbi. Only one is your teacher, even Christ; and ye are all brethren. Call no one on earth your father, for only one is your Father, who is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters, for only one is your Master, even Christ. Also, he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Whosoever exalts himself will be abased; and he who is humble will be exalted.
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye shut men out of the kingdom of heaven. Yet, you do not enter in yourselves, and you do not allow others to attempt to enter. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye devour widows' houses and, for a pretence, make long prayers. Therefore, you will receive the greater damnation.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! You venture over land and sea for one proselyte. Then, when you have him, you make him two times more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides who say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, is worth nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, makes a good pledge! Ye fools and blind men. What is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
And ye say, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, is worth nothing; but whosoever swears by the gift that is upon it, is worthy of praise. Ye fools and blind men. What is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? The one who, therefore, swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things upon it. And the one who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells therein. And He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits thereon.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, but ye have ignored the weightier matters of the law; judgment, mercy, and faith. Ye blind guides who strain from your drink a gnat and swallow a camel.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye make the outside of the cup and platter clean, but inside they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee. First clean the inside of the cup and platter, so the outside may be clean also.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye are like whited sepulchres, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness. Even if, on the outside, you appear righteous to others, inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye build the tombs for the prophets and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous. Ye say, If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Be witnesses unto yourselves. Ye are the children of those who killed the prophets and ye fill up what your fathers measured out.
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? I send prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them ye shall kill and crucify. Some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city. On your hands shall be the blood of all the righteous shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. All these things shall come upon this generation.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killed the prophets, and stoned those sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not have it! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Ye shall not see me again until ye shall say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
24 Jesus went outside and His disciples came to show Him the buildings of the temple. Jesus said, Take note of all this. There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. On the mount of Olives, the disciples said, Tell us, when will this happen? What is the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?
Jesus answered, Take heed that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ. They will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled. All these things must come to pass; but the end is not come yet. Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be famines, pestilence, and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
They will deliver you up to be afflicted. They will kill you. You will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. Many will be offended and will betray and hate one another. False prophets will arise and deceive. And, because iniquity will abound, the love of many will wax cold. But those who endure until the end will be saved.
This gospel of the kingdom will be preached all around the world as a witness to all nations. Then, the end will come. When ye see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet, Daniel, stand in the holy place; understand the prophecy.
Let those who are in Judaea flee into the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop stay there and not come down to take anything out of his house. Neither let the one who is in the field return to get his clothing.
Woe unto the women who are with child, and those who are nursing. Pray that your flight is not in the winter or on the sabbath day. There will be great tribulation, such as has not been seen since the beginning of the world until now and will never be seen again. Unless those days are numbered, no flesh will be saved. But, for the elect's sake, those days will be numbered.
Thus, if anyone says to you, Lo, here is Christ, or there He is; do not believe it. There will arise false Christs and false prophets. They will show great signs and wonders; so much that, if at all possible, they will deceive the very elect.
I am telling you all this beforehand, so, if they say to you, Behold, He is in the desert, do not go forth. Or, behold, He is in the secret chambers, do not believe it. For, just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over unto the west, so, also, will be the coming of the Son of man.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened. The moon will not reflect light. The stars will fall from heaven. The powers of the heavens will be shaken. All the people on earth will mourn.
Then the sign of the Son of man will appear. They will see Him coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet. His angels will gather together His elect from the four winds and from one end of heaven to the other.
Now learn a parable about the fig tree. When its branch is yet tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So, likewise, when you see all these things, know what is near.
This generation shall not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But, of the day and the hour no man knows, no, not the angels of heaven, but only my Father.
The coming of the Son of man shall be like in the days of Noah. Before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark. They knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. So, also, will be the coming of the Son of man.
At that time, two shall be in the field. One shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill. One shall be taken and the other left. Watch, for ye know not what hour your Lord comes.
Know this, If the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have stood guard and not have suffered his house to be broken into. Therefore, be ready. At an hour that ye think the Son of man will not come, then He will come.
It is a faithful and wise servant who, his lord having given him charge over the household, prepares the foods in due season. Blessed is that servant who, when his lord arrives, shall find him doing so. He shall make the servant ruler over all his goods.
It is an evil servant who says, My lord delays his coming so I shall take advantage. He smites his fellowservants and eats and drinks until drunken. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when the servant does not expect him. At a time when the servant is unaware, he shall be cut asunder and thrown out with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
25 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise. Five were foolish. The foolish took their lamps but no extra oil with them. The wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered. At midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom is coming. Go out to meet Him.
All the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, No, there will be not enough for us and you. Go to them that sell oil and buy some.
While they went to buy the oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut. Much later, the other virgins arrived and called, Lord, Lord, open the door to us. But He answered and said, I do not know you. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.
The kingdom of heaven is like a man who travels into a far country. Before he leaves, he calls his servants and turns his goods over to them. To one he gives five talents. To another he gives two talents. To another he gives one. He gives to every man according to his ability.
The servant who received the five talents traded and made another five talents. He who received two, gained another two. But the servant that received one, dug a hole in the earth and hid his lord's money.
After a long time, the lord returned from his journey and reckoned with his servants. He who received five talents came and brought another five talents. He said, Lord, thou delivered five talents to me. Behold, I have gained five more talents besides them. His lord said, Well done. Thou has been faithful over a few things so I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of thy lord!
He who received two talents came and said, Lord, thou delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained two more talents beside them. His lord said, Well done. Thou has been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of thy lord!
Then the servant who received the one talent came and said, Lord, I know that thou art a hard man who reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has not toiled. I was afraid, so I hid thy talent in the earth. Here, now thou has what is thine.
His lord cried, Thou wicked and slothful servant. Thou knew that I reap where I sow not and gather where I do not toil. Thou ought to have, at least, put my money out to the exchangers so, upon my return, I should have received my own money with interest. Take the talent and give it to the one who has ten talents.
To the one who uses his talent wisely, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance. But to the one who does not, any talent he has shall be taken away. The unprofitable servant shall be cast into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the Son of man comes with His holy angels, He shall sit upon the throne of His glory. Before Him shall be gathered all nations. He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from his goats. He shall set the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left.
Then the King shall say to those on His right, Come, ye blessed of my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry and ye gave me food. I was thirsty and ye gave me a drink. I was a stranger and ye took me in. I was naked and ye clothed me. I was sick and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came to me.
Then the righteous shall ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee? Or thirsty and gave thee drink? When did we see thee a stranger and take thee in? Or naked and clothe thee? When did we see thee sick, or in prison and come to thee? The King shall answer, Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it to me.
Then He shall say to those on the left, Depart from me into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and ye gave me no food. I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink. I was a stranger and ye did not take me in. I was naked and ye did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison and ye did not visit me.
Then they shall also ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not minister unto thee? He shall answer them, Inasmuch as ye did not do these things to one of the least of my brethren, ye did not do it to me. These shall go to everlasting punishment. And the righteous shall have life eternal.
26 It came to pass, when Jesus finished instructing His disciples, He said, The feast of the passover is in two days. The Son of man will be betrayed and crucified.
The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people held a meeting in the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. They discussed how they might take Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they said, It cannot happen on the feast day lest there be an uproar among the people.
Jesus was now in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. There He was approached by a woman carrying an alabaster box containing very precious ointment. She annointed His head as He sat at dinner. When His disciples saw it they were indignant and said, To what purpose is this waste? This ointment could have been sold for much and the money given to the poor.
When Jesus overheard them He said, Why bother this woman? She has wrought a good work upon me. The poor you have always to care for; but you will not always have me. In annointing me, she prepared me for my burial. Anywhere in the world this gospel is preached it will also be told what this woman has done.
Then, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. He asked, What will you give me if I will deliver Jesus to you? They agreed on thirty pieces of silver and, from that time, Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Him.
On the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Where shall we prepare for thee to eat the passover? Jesus told them to go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Master says His time is at hand and that He will keep the passover there with His disciples. Then the disciples did as Jesus told them and they prepared the passover.
When it was evening, Jesus sat down with the twelve. While they ate, He said, Verily, I say unto you, one of you will betray me. The disciples heard this with great sorrow. They uttered, Lord, is it me? Jesus only said, He who dips his hand in the dish with me will betray me.
It is written: Woe unto the one by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been better for him if he had not been born. Then Judas, who betrayed Him, asked, Master, is it me? Jesus turned to him and quietly said, Thou has said right.
While they ate, Jesus took up the bread and blessed it. He then broke it and gave it to the disciples saying, Take this and eat for this is my body. Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He passed it to them saying, Drink ye all from this for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins. I say unto you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you in my Father's kingdom. Following the meal, they sang hymns and went out into the mount of Olives.
Jesus said to the disciples, Ye shall all be offended this night because of me for it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But, after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Peter said to Him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, I will never be offended. Jesus answered Peter, This night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter replied, Though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. Then all the disciples said the same.
Jesus took them into a place called Gethsemane and said, Sit here whileI go yonder to pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee withHim. He said to these three, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful and heavyunto death. Stay here and watch with me.
He went off a little farther and fell on His face. Jesus prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, be it not as I will, but as Thou wilt.
Then He went to the three disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, Could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray so ye do not give in to this temptation again because, while the spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak.
He went away a second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me unless I drink it, then Thy will be done. Returning to the three, He, again, found that they had been asleep for their eyes were heavy. He left them and went to pray a third time, saying the same words.
When Jesus went back to all the disciples He said, Behold, the hour is at hand. The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. The one who betrays me is at hand.
While He spoke, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came with a great multitude. They were armed with swords and staves from the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas had agreed on a sign saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He. Hold Him fast. Judas approached Jesus, greeted Him; then kissed Him. Jesus said to him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then they came and took hold of Jesus.
Behold, one who was with Jesus drew his sword, and, striking out at one of the high priest's servants, smote off his ear. Jesus said to him, Put thy sword back into its place. All who take to the sword shall perish by the sword. Think thou that I cannot pray to my Father and He shall give me more than twelve legions of angels? But, then, how shall the scriptures be fulfilled that this is the way it must be?
Jesus said to this multitude, Do ye come at me as against a thief with swords and staves to take me? Daily I sat with you teaching in the temple and ye did not lay hold of me. This was done so the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
When they took hold of Jesus, all the disciples left Him and fled. They led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and elders were assembled. But Peter followed far behind to the high priest's palace. He went in and sat with the servants.
The chief priests, elders, and all the council sought false witness against Jesus in order to put Him to death. At last, two false witnesses came and said, This one said He was able to destroy the temple of God and build it up again in three days.
The high priest arose and said to Jesus, Answerest thou nothing? What is it that they witness against thee? But Jesus said nothing. Then the high priest said to Him, I adjure thee, by the living God, tell us whether thou are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus replied, Thou has said so. I say unto you, hereafter, ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and appearing in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest cried, He has spoken blasphemy. What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. What think ye? They answered, He is guilty of death. Then they spit in His face. Others struck Him with the palms of their hands and said, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that struck thee?
During this, Peter sat outside the palace. A damsel came up to him and said, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But Peter denied this and he went out on the porch. Another maid saw him and said to the others standing there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. Peter denied this with an oath and said, I do not know the man.
Later, one of the bystanders came up to Peter and said, Surely, by thy voice I know thou art one of them. Peter began to curse and swear and said, I know not the man. Then the cock crowed. Peter remembered the words of Jesus to him: Before the cock crows, thou shall deny me thrice. He went out and wept bitterly.
27 The next morning all the chief priests and elders met concerning Jesus. They agreed to put Him to death. They bound Him, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
When Judas realized that Jesus was condemned, he repented. He took the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders. He said, I have sinned. I have betrayed the innocent. They retorted, What is that to us? So Judas cast down the pieces of silver in the temple. Immediately he went out and hung himself.
At the same time, the chief priests took up the silver pieces and said, It is not lawful to put this into the treasury because it is blood money. After they took counsel, they bought the potter's field for the burial of strangers, which became known as The Field of Blood. The prophecy of Jeremy was fulfilled: They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price for Him that was valued of the children of Israel, and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed.
Jesus now stood before Pilate, the governor. Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus replied, Thou sayest so. When Jesus was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him, Hearest thou the things they witness against thee? Jesus said never a word. At this the governor marvelled greatly.
The custom at the passover feast was for the governor to release a prisoner of the people's choosing. A notable prisoner named Barabbas was in the prison. Therefore, when the people were gathered together, Pilate said, Whom will ye that I release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?
While he was seated on the judgment seat, Pilate's wife sent a message to him that said, Have nothing to do with that just man. Today I have suffered many things in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude to choose Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
When Pilate, the governor, asked which of the two they chose they said,Barabbas. Pilate asked, What shall I do then with Jesus who is calledChrist? They all said, Let Him be crucified.
The governor asked, Why, what evil has He done? But they cried out the more and shouted, Let Him be crucified. Pilate realized he could not prevail without making a tumult among the people. So he took water, washed his hands before the multitude, and said, I am innocent of the blood of this just person. See ye to it. The people said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then Pilate released Barabbas. He had Jesus scourged and delivered Him to be crucified.
Pilate's soldiers took Jesus into the common hall where the whole band of soldiers gathered around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head. Then they put a reed in His right hand. Bowing down, they mocked Him saying, Hail, King of the Jews! They spit on Him, took the reed, and struck Him on the head. As they were leading Him away to be crucified, they found a man from Cyrene, Simon by name, and compelled him to carry the cross for Jesus.
They took Him to a place called Golgotha, or the place of a skull. There they gave Him vinegar to drink mixed with gall. When Jesus tasted it, He would not drink it. They crucified Him and parted out His garments by casting lots. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Then the soldiers placed a written accusation over His head. It read: This Is Jesus, The King Of The Jews.
Two thieves were crucified alongside Jesus, one on His right hand and the other on His left. As people passed by they reviled Him and called out: Thou that destroys the temple and builds it again in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
The chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, mocked Him. They said, He saved others but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him come down from the cross and we will believe Him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now, if God will have Him, for He said, I am the Son of God.
From the sixth until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. At about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
When some of those standing by heard this, they said, This man calls for Elias. Presently, one of them ran to get a sponge. He filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, Leave it alone. Let us see whether Elias will come to save Him. Then Jesus cried again in a loud voice and yielded Himself up.
Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split apart. Graves were opened. The bodies of many saints who slept rose up and, after His resurrection, went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurions who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that were done, they became afraid and said, Truly this was the Son of God.
Many of the women who followed Jesus of Galilee and ministered to Him were there looking on. Among them was Mary Magdalene; another Mary; and the mother of Zebedee's children. When evening came, a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who was also Jesus' disciple arrived. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb which was hewn out of rock. He rolled a great stone across the door of the sepulchre and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat alongside the sepulchre.
The next day following the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and said, Sir, that deceiver, while he was yet alive, said that, in three days, He would rise up again. Command that the sepulchre be made secure until the third day lest His disciples come by night, steal Him away, and tell the people that He is risen from the dead. Then the last error will be worse than the first.
Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch. Go your way. Make it as secure as ye can. The chief priests and the Pharisees went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting guards to watch.
28 After the sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre. Behold, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning with raiment white as snow. The guards shook with fear of Him and became as dead men.
The angel said to the women, Fear not for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here for, as He said, He is risen. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. Behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There ye shall see Him. Lo, I have told you.
The women quickly left the sepulchre filled with both fear and great joy. They ran to bring word to Jesus' disciples. As they went along Jesus met them and greeted them. They went to Him, held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go into Galilee and there they shall see me.
Some of the guards on watch went into the city and told the chief priests the things that were done. After an assembly of the elders the soldiers were offered a large amount of money to say that Jesus' disciples came by night and stole Him away while they slept. The soldiers were assured they would be protected if this came to the governor's ears. They took the money and did as they were told. This report is common among the Jews until this day.
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain appointed by Jesus. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. Jesus came to them and said, All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and teach all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you.
I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
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The Gospel of Mark
1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger who shall prepare the way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. After confessing their sins many from the land of Judaea and from Jerusalem were baptized by him in the river of Jordan.
John was clothed with camel's hair and wore animal hides around his loins and he ate locusts and wild honey. He preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I have baptized you with water but He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the river of Jordan. Immediately, upon His coming up out of the water, John saw the heavens open and the Spirit, like a dove, descend upon Him. And there came a voice from heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
The spirit drove Him into the wilderness. There, among wild beasts, He was tempted by Satan for forty days. Then the angels ministered to Him. Now, after that, John was put in prison and Jesus came into Galilee. He began preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel.
He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Come ye after me and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
When He had gone on a little farther, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in a boat mending their nets. Jesus called them. They immediately left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants and went after Him.
They went into Capernaum. On the sabbath day He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His doctrine for He taught them as one with authority and not as the scribes. And in their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit. He cried out and said, Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him and said, Hold thy peace and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
The people were amazed, so much so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? He even commands with authority the unclean spirits and they obey Him. Immediately His fame spread throughout the region around Galilee.
After they left the synagogue, they went to the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and presently they told Jesus about her. He came and took her by the hand. Then He lifted her up and, immediately, the fever left her. And she, then, ministered to them.
That evening around sunset, many people were brought to Him who were diseased and some who were possessed with devils. And all the city gathered together at the door. Jesus healed many that were sick of divers diseases. He cast out many devils and did not allow the devils to speak because they knew Him.
The next morning, rising before dawn, He went to a solitary place to pray. Simon and those who were with him followed. When they found Him, they said, All men seek for thee. And Jesus said to them, Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
And Jesus preached in the synagogues throughout Galilee, and cast out devils. There came to Him a leper. Kneeling down and beseeching Him, the leper said, If thou wilt, thou can make me clean. Jesus was moved with compassion. He put out His hand, touched him, and said, I will. Be thou clean.
And, as soon as He had spoken, the leprosy departed and the man was cleansed. Jesus directly charged him to say nothing to any man. Jesus said, Go thy way. Show thyself to the priest and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony to them.
But he went out and began to broadcast the matter. He said so much that Jesus could no more openly enter the city but had to stay out in desert places. And they came to Him from every quarter.
2 After some days Jesus entered Capernaum again and His arrival was widely announced. The people knew that He returned to the house. And, immediately, many gathered, so much that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as outside the door. Jesus preached the word to them.
There came to Him one sick with palsy who was carried by four others. When they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof above where Jesus stood. Having broken through, they lowered down the bed wherein the sick man lay. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the sick man, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
There were certain of the scribes sitting there. They wondered, Why does this man speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? When Jesus realized that they so reasoned, He said to them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether it is easier to say to the sick man, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or, Arise. Take up thy bed and walk?
So that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (Jesus turned to the sick man and said,) I say to thee, Arise. Take up thy bed and go thy way to thine own house. At that moment, he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all. They were amazed. They glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this.
Jesus went to the seaside again and the multitude gathered around Him, and He taught them. Later, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him.
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at supper in Levi's house, many publicans and sinners also joined together with Jesus and His disciples. There now were many who followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with publicans and sinners, they asked His disciples, How is it that He eats and drinks with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard this, He said to them, Those who are whole have no need of a physician, only those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance.
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees came to Jesus and asked, Why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples do not? And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the day will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.
No man sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old and the rent is made worse. And no man puts new wine into old bottles: else the new wine bursts the bottles, the wine is spilled, and the bottles are marred. New wine must be put into new bottles.
And it came to pass, that He went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and His disciples began to pluck the ears of corn as they went along. The Pharisees said to Him, Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the sabbath day? And Jesus responded, Have ye never read what David, and they that were with him, did when they had need and were hungry? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar, the high priest, and ate the showbread? How this was only lawful for the priests to eat? And how David also gave it to those who were with him? Then Jesus said to them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath; therefore, the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath also.
3 Then Jesus entered the synagogue again. Inside was a man with a withered hand. They watched to see if Jesus would heal him on the sabbath day so they might accuse Him. And Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, Step Forward. Then Jesus said to them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill? But they remained silent.
Jesus looked at them with anger and was grieved for the hardness of their hearts. He said to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. As the man stretched it out, his hand was restored as whole as his other hand.
The Pharisees left and immediately took counsel with the Herodians about how they might get rid of Him. But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. A great multitude from Galilee, Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan, and those around Tyre and Sidon came to Him when they heard all the things He did.
Jesus told His disciples He needed to get out into a small boat lest the multitude should throng Him. For He had healed many and many who had plagues now pressed upon Him just to touch Him. Unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried, Thou art the Son of God. Jesus directly charged them that they should not make Him known.
Then Jesus went up into a mountain. He called to whom He would and they came to Him. Here He ordained twelve to be with Him, and that He might send forth to preach, to heal sickness, and to cast out devils. Then He took these twelve into a house: Simon surnamed Peter; James, the son of Zebedee, John, the brother of James (He named them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder); Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Then the multitude came again so that they could not eat bread undisturbed. When His friends heard about this, they lay hold of Him and said, This is too much. And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and, by the prince of the devils, He casts out devils.
Jesus called them to Him and said, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand and is finished. Nor can a man enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods unless he first binds up the strong man so he can then spoil his house.
Verily I say to you, All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and blasphemies also, however they blaspheme. But he that blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. He said this because they said, He has an unclean spirit.
His brethren and His mother came and, standing outside, they called for Him. The multitude that sat around Him said, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are outside and seek for thee. Jesus answered, Who is my mother, or my brethren? Then He looked around on those who sat about Him and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
4 Later, as Jesus was again by the seaside, there gathered a great multitude. He entered into a boat and began to address the large crowd on shore. He taught them many things by parables. Jesus began, Hearken. Behold, there went out a sower of seeds. It came to pass, as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside. The fowls of the air came and devoured it. Some seed fell on stony ground where there was no good soil. It sprang up quickly. But, because it had no roots, it was scorched by the sunlight and withered away.
Some seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Other seed fell on good ground. This did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold. And Jesus finished by saying, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
After this, when the twelve were alone with Jesus, they asked Him about the parable and why He told the people a parable. Jesus said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But, to those who are without, the teachings are in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
And Jesus said to them, Know ye not this parable? The sower sows the word. And these are the people by the wayside, where the word is sown. When they have heard, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
And these are likewise those who are sown on stony ground. When they have heard the word, they receive it with gladness. But they have no root and endure only for a while. When affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, they are offended.
And these are also the seed sown among the thorns of the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things. All these thorns enter in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And, finally, are those who are sown on good ground. In hearing the word, they receive it and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundredfold.
Then Jesus said, Is a candle lighted to be put under a bushel, or under a bed instead of set on a candlestick? You see, if there is nothing hidden which shall not be manifested, then there is nothing kept secret, which shall not be uncovered. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.
And He said to them, Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you. And to you that hear, more shall be given. For he that has, to him shall be given. He that has not, from him shall be taken away even that which he has.
Then Jesus said, Such is the kingdom of God like a man who casts seed into the ground. He passes nights and days, and the seed springs up and grows, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, and, after that, the full ear of corn. When the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts the sickle to it because the harvest is come.
And He said, Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? With what shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, it is less than all the seeds on earth. But when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all. It shoots out branches so great that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. To those without, Jesus spoke in parables. He explained all these things to His disciples when they were alone.
That evening, Jesus told His disciples that they should cross over to the other side. And when they sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the boat. There were also other little ships. And there arose a great storm. Wind and waves beat into the boat and it was now full of water. Jesus was in the back part of the boat, asleep on a pillow. They woke Him and said, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Then Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still.
The wind ceased and there was a great calm. Jesus said to them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? Then those nearby said one to another, What kind of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey?
5 They arrived on the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, He was immediately met by a man who came out of his dwelling place in the tombs. The man had an unclean spirit and no man could bind him. Whenever he had been bound with fetters and chains, he plucked the chains asunder and broke the fetters in pieces. No one could tame him and night and day he was in the mountains or in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
Yet, when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped Him. The man cried with a loud voice, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not. Jesus turned to the man saying, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. Then Jesus asked, What is thy name? The man answered, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought Jesus that he not send them away out of the country.
Nearby, in the mountains, there was a great herd of swine feeding. The devils, in one voice, said, Send us to those swine that we may enter into them. Right away, Jesus gave them leave. The unclean spirits left the man and entered into the swine. The herd ran violently down a steep slope into the sea and drowned (there were about two thousand).
The swine tenders fled and told it in the city and in the country. The people went out to see what was done. When they approached Jesus, they saw the man that was possessed with the devil and had the legion, sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. The people became fearful. Those who saw it told the others how it befell the man who was possessed, and also told about the swine. The people then begged Jesus to leave their coasts.
When He returned to the boat, the man who had been possessed prayed Jesus to let him stay with Him. Howbeit, Jesus suffered him not but said, Go home to thy friends. Tell them the great things the Lord has done for thee, and tell them He has had compassion on thee. Then the man departed and began to tell all in Decapolis the great things Jesus had done for him. Then all men did marvel.
After Jesus crossed again by boat to the other side, many people gathered to Him. And, behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name. When he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet and besought Him saying, My little daughter is at the point of death. I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her that she may be healed and shall live. Jesus went with him and the people followed and thronged Him.
In the crowd was a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years. She had been to many physicians, spent all that she had, and nothing was bettered, but, instead, grew worse. She had heard of Jesus and, pressing through the crowd, she came up behind Him and touched His garment. She said, If I may but touch His clothes, I shall be whole. After she did this the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed.
Presently, Jesus, knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned about and said, Who touched my clothes? His disciples said, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee and ask Who touched me? Then Jesus spotted her who had done this thing. The woman, in fear and trembling, but knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him and spoke the truth. He said to her, Daughter, thy faith has made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
While He yet spoke, messengers came from the ruler of the synagogue's house and announced, Thy daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the message, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Jesus allowed no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they got to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, Jesus saw the tumult and many weeping and wailing.
Inside the house Jesus said to them, Why make this commotion and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleeps. They laughed Him to scorn. But when He had put them all out, He took the father and mother of the damsel and those who were with Him and entered where she was lying. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said, Talitha cumi; Damsel, I say to thee, arise.
Immediately the damsel, who was twelve years old, arose and walked. They were astonished and Jesus charged them directly that they should tell no one. Then He said that she should be given something to eat.
6 And He went, followed by His disciples, into His own country. On the sabbath day, He began to teach in the synagogue. Many local people heard the sayings of Jesus and were astonished. They asked, From whence has this man learned these things? What wisdom is this that is given to Him that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands? Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Juda, and Simon? Are His sisters not right here among us? Thus, they were offended at Him. And Jesus said, A prophet is without honour in his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house.
Jesus went there to do mighty works. He marvelled at their unbelief and, because of this, could do little but lay His hands upon and heal a few of the sick and teach in the villages around the area.
In a little while, Jesus called to Him the twelve to begin to go forth by two and two. He gave them power over unclean spirits. He told them that they should take nothing for their journey except a staff; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse. He instructed them to be shod with only sandals; and not put on two coats.
He said to them, In what place soever ye enter into a house, abide there until ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye leave there, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them. Verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than for that place. The disciples went out and preached that men should repent. They cast out many devils, anointed many sick people with oil, and healed many of them.
King Herod heard of Him (for His name was spread abroad) and said that John the Baptist was risen from the dead and, therefore, mighty works were shown forth in him. Others said, It is Elias. And others said, It is one of the prophets. But when Herod heard all this he said, It is John whom I beheaded. He is risen from the dead.
Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold of John. He had him bound and imprisoned for Herodias, his brother Philip's wife's sake whom Herod had married. John told Herod that it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife. Herodias, therefore, held this against John and wanted him killed. Herod, however, feared John and knew he was a just and holy man. Herod saw and heard John many times and heard him gladly.
Then Herod, on his birthday, made a supper for his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias came and danced. Herod and those who sat with him were pleased. The king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt and I will give it thee. He swore to her that whatever she should ask of him, he would give her even up to half of his kingdom. She went to her mother, Herodias, and said, What shall I ask? Her mother said, The head of John the Baptist. Then she hurried back to the king and said, I will that thou give me the head of John the Baptist on a charger.
The king was exceedingly sorry. Yet for his oath's sake, and for the sake of those who sat with him, he would not reject her. The king sent for an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. The executioner went and beheaded John in the prison. He brought his head on a charger and gave it to the damsel. Then the damsel gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
The apostles gathered together, went to Jesus, and told him all things, what they had done and what they had taught. Then Jesus said to them, Come ye away into a desert place and rest a while. They had been coming and going and had no time even to eat. Thus they departed into a desert place, going privately by boat. But the people saw them departing, outran them, and came together to Him.
Jesus saw the multitude that had gathered and was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them. And when the day was far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, This is a desert place and it is very late. Send them away so they may go into the country and into the villages to buy themselves bread for they have nothing to eat.
Jesus answered, Give ye them to eat. And they said, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread and give it to them to eat? He asked them, How many loaves have ye? Go and see. They came back and told Him, Five, and two fish.
Jesus commanded them to make all the people sit down in groups upon the green grass. They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. Then, when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and blessed it. He broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples to set before them all. And He divided the two fish among them. They all ate and were filled. After, they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments of bread and fish. Those who ate of the loaves were about five thousand men.
And immediately He instructed His disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side to Bethsaida while He sent the people away and He departed into a mountain to pray. At evening time the boat was in the midst of the sea. Jesus was alone on the land.
He looked out and saw them rowing with great difficulty for the wind was contrary to them. At about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But, when they saw Him walking upon the sea, they supposed it was a spirit. They cried out and were troubled.
Immediately Jesus talked with them and said, Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid. And He went up to them in the boat. Then the wind ceased and they were amazed beyond measure. They wondered and did not even remember the miracle of the loaves for their hearts were hardened.
They reached the other shore and came into the land of Gennesaret. As they drew into shore and got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Jesus. After they ran to all the area around the region, many arrived carrying in beds those that were sick. And wheresoever He entered into villages or cities or country, they laid the sick in the streets and besought Him to allow the sick to touch but the border of His garment. And as many as touched Him, He made them whole.
7 Pharisees and some scribes from Jerusalem observed that some of His disciples ate bread with unwashed hands. They found fault with this defilement for the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, holding the tradition of the elders along with the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why do thy disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?
Jesus answered, Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites. It is written, This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. In laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups and many other things that ye do. And He said to them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God in order to keep your own tradition.
Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother and, whoso curses father or mother, let him die. But ye say, If a man says to his father or mother, It is Corban, a gift, by whatsoever thou might be gained by me; he shall be free. Ye allow him to do nothing for his father or mother and make the word of God worthless through your tradition and many other things like this.